FEDERAL FUNDING
Our Commitment
Leveraging federal funding so that Virginia can meet our conservation and environmental goals.
THE ISSUE
There is an unprecedented amount of funding available at the federal level that the state should leverage to meet our conservation and environmental goals. Funds will be distributed in different ways and through multiple different channels. Some funding has already started to flow and some grant programs haven’t opened up yet. The following resources are meant to highlight some of the biggest opportunities for the Commonwealth to utilize.
BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW
The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, infused historic levels of federal dollars towards clean transportation and charging infrastructure as well as funding to strengthen the nation’s drinking, storm, and wastewater systems.
In addition to the new programs created through the IRA, historic funding has been infused into many existing programs for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, land conservation, resilience, wildlife crossings, and more. Throughout portions of the Briefing Book, federal programs are highlighted that can help achieve specific environmental goals.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law in August 2022, established investments through grant programs and tax credits in the clean energy economy, many of which may be leveraged by state and local governments. Opportunities include investments in solar, wind, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and other technologies that reduce our dependence on carbon-intensive infrastructure. In addition, the IRA established a direct pay program providing the opportunity for governments to receive the value of clean energy tax credits as cash payments.
EPA ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMUNITY CHANGE GRANTS PROGRAM
EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. The focus of this grant is to provide resources to support multi-sectoral collaboration and projects that address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate and adverse health, pollution, and environmental impacts, and chronic disinvestment. As part of this process, it looks to build community capacity to drive change and participate in decision-making processes through 2 project tracks. You can view the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) here.
Solar For All, and $156M for Virginia
Virginia received $156,120,000 through Solar For All. One hundred percent of the funding awarded today is dedicated toward distributed solar investments to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.
What to know about the Inflation Reduction Act on its one-year anniversary
August 16th marked the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The landmark IRA was the first major piece of legislation passed by Congress to address climate change, and just one year after its passage it is already improving Virginia residents’ lives.
Climate Investments from the White House Are Coming to Virginia – What Should We Expect?
What do federal bills mean for the conservation movement in Virginia? VCN highlighted the climate funding and projects Virginia will receive from these pieces of federal legislation, with a focus on our environmental priorities.
ROUNDUP: Billion for the Bay Initiative
Round-up of statements from the conservation community on the Billion for the Bay letter, calling for one billion dollars in funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration.
Roundup: Environmental Protection Agency Increases Chesapeake Bay Program Funding to $85 million
ROUNDUP: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY INCREASES CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM FUNDING [...]
RESOURCES
Report: Empowering Tomorrow
Clean Energy States Alliance recently released a report outlining how Solar for All state programs, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Grant Search Tool for Federal Funding
Local Infrastructure Hub released a grant search tool providing nearly 400 grant opportunities available to communities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Inflation Reduction Act Tracker
Our Partners at EDF released an up-to-date tracker tool that records steps taken by federal agencies to implement the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
ARTICLE: $600M provided to US communities for public electric vehicle chargers
The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program provided more than $600 million to US communities for more public chargers for electric vehicles.
EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act
The Environmental Protection Agency released an updated overview of current and upcoming funding opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
The Federal Highway Administration recently updated their information portal on the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, a grant program aiming to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions and enhance habitat connectivity.
Department of Energy – The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program
Department of Transportation – National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Guidance
Department of Transportation – Neighborhood Access and Equity Program
Environmental Protection Agency – Implementation Framework for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Environmental Protection Agency – EPA Funding Announcements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act
Environmental Protection Agency – Clearing House for Environmental Financing
Federal Highway Administration – Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
Internal Revenue Services – Elective Pay Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions
NOAA Fisheries – Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
White House – Open and Upcoming Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding Opportunities